When you add funds to your OpenSRS reseller account by credit card or PayPal, a 3% processing fee applies. This article explains how the fee is calculated, why it is based on the final charged amount rather than the credit you request, and how taxes affect Canadian deposits. Use the formula and examples below to fund the exact credit you need.
How the fee is calculated
The fee is added on top of your requested credit so the full credit amount lands in your account. The 3% is applied to the final charged amount, not to your initial credit request. For Canadian resellers, applicable tax is added before the 3% fee is calculated.
Warning: Adding 3% directly to your credit request (for example, $100 + $3 = $103) results in an underpayment, because $3 is less than 3% of $103. This causes processing delays. Always use the division formula below.
Quick formula
To find the final amount you will be charged for any deposit:
Final amount = (Requested credit + applicable taxes) ÷ 0.97
This guarantees the full credit reaches your account with the 3% fee correctly factored in.
Fee examples
Scenario | Requested credit | Tax | Final charged | Processing fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$100 deposit, no tax | $100.00 | $0.00 | $103.09 | $3.09 |
$2,000 deposit, no tax | $2,000.00 | $0.00 | $2,061.86 | $61.86 |
$2,000 deposit, 13% Canadian tax | $2,000.00 | $260.00 | $2,329.90 | $69.90 |
Worked example: $100 credit request
$100 ÷ 0.97 = $103.09 (final charged amount)
$103.09 × 0.03 = $3.09 (fee)
$100 + $3.09 = $103.09
Worked example: $2,000 credit request
$2,000 ÷ 0.97 = $2,061.86
$2,061.86 × 0.03 = $61.86
$2,000 + $61.86 = $2,061.86
Worked example: $2,000 credit request with 13% Canadian tax
Subtotal with tax: $2,000 + $260 = $2,260
$2,260 ÷ 0.97 = $2,329.90 (final charged amount)
$2,329.90 × 0.03 = $69.90 (fee)
$2,260 + $69.90 = $2,329.90
Avoiding the fee
There is no 3% processing fee on ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments. ACH is available only to resellers in the United States and Canada and must be set up in advance. Your bank may charge its own fee for ACH transactions, so confirm with your financial institution.
Common misconceptions
"3% of my credit equals the fee." The 3% is applied to the final charged amount, which is larger than your credit. Use the division formula.
"Adding $3 to a $100 request covers the fee." It doesn't — $3 is only 2.91% of $103, so your deposit is short and processing is delayed.
"Tax is calculated after the fee." For Canadian resellers, tax is added first; the 3% fee is calculated on the taxed subtotal.
Next steps
Calculate your next deposit: Apply the formula (Requested credit + tax) ÷ 0.97 before entering the amount.
Set up ACH: Resellers in the U.S. or Canada can skip the 3% fee by enabling ACH payments.
Review your deposits: Use the Transactions tab in Billing and Payments to confirm the fee on past deposits.
Questions? Contact OpenSRS Support.
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